Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI) will host the Downtown Festive Frolic on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 1, 2 and 3. Activities will include the Park Square Tree Lighting Ceremony, The Grinch at Otto’s, free admission to the Festival of Trees, the Holiday First Fridays Artswalk, Pictures with Santa, a Free Kids’ Paint & Sip, a Festive Frolic LEGO® Drop-in, and a Festive Frolic Holiday Market featuring a Krampus Beer Garden.

The City of Pittsfield’s Park Square Tree Lighting Ceremony will be on Friday, December 1 starting at 6 pm. Join Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the City of Pittsfield’s Recreation Department for this festive holiday tradition. Stick around to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus after the tree is lit. Those planning to attend the ceremony are asked to bring non-perishable food items that will be donated to the Christian Center’s food pantry.

Otto’s Kitchen & Comfort, 95 East Street, will be providing free hot chocolate and photo ops with the Grinch from 5 to 8 pm on Friday, December 1.

The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Avenue, will host its annual Wreath Art Auction to benefit the South Community Food Pantry on Friday, December 1. Dozens of local artists have donated their talent, time, and materials to create one-of-a-kind, original holiday wreaths, centerpieces, kissing balls, and more. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of these original works of art will be donated to the South Community Food Pantry. Grab and go wreaths will be available starting at 5 pm, and the top items will be auctioned off at 6:30 pm following the Tree Lighting at Park Square. There will also be a raffle to win some amazing gifts from local businesses, and all of the proceeds from the event will benefit the South Community Food Pantry which serves over 1000 families a week in Pittsfield.

The Berkshire Museum, 39 South Street, will offer free admission to the “Festival of Trees: Nostalgia” on Friday, December 1 from 5 to 8 pm. This free event is sponsored by the Berkshire Museum’s Board of Trustees. See trees decorated by community members, businesses, and institutions with ties to the community.

Join Berkshire Art Center (BAC), 141 North Street, for a Free Drop-In Holiday Art Activity from 5:30 to 7:30 pm on Friday, December 1. Families, children, and people of all ages are invited to participate in the activity at their own pace, with the guidance and support of a faculty artist. All children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration is required.

The Clock Tower Artists at 75 South Church Street will host a Holiday Open Studios event on Friday, December 1 from 5 to 8 pm, and on Saturday, December 2 from 11 am to 4 pm. Witness the artists’ artistic processes firsthand and be captivated by an eclectic blend of masterpieces that will enchant and inspire you. The Clock Tower Artists have created new original small paintings and have printed items perfect for gift giving. Visit for a festive holiday experience!

Artists with Open Studios in December include Deborah H. Carter, Joan Palano Ciolfi, Marion H. Grant, Stacey Healy, Caroline Kelley, Bruce Laird, Mark Mellinger, Linda Petrocine, Sally Tiska Rice, Ilene Richard, Audrey Shachnow, and Stefanie Weber.

There will be additional art openings and exhibits as part of the December 1 Holiday First Fridays Artswalk at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Pittsfield, 175 Wendell Avenue; Hotel on North, 297 North Street; the Marketplace Cafe, 53 North Street; among others. Download the Downtown Pittsfield app in the App Store or on Google Play to follow a virtual walking tour of art on your cell phone.

Saturday’s Downtown Festive Frolic events will be focused on the kids, and Saturday has been dubbed “Festive Frolic Junior”. The Festive Frolic Junior will be headlined by Santa at The Beacon Cinema sponsored by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and Phoenix Theatres from 12 to 3 pm. All children are welcome to take a free professional photo with Santa which will be made available for download after the event.

Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church will host a Free Kids’ Paint & Sip on Saturday, December 2, 12 to 3 pm, in the auditorium at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 67 East Street. There will be a bonus painting craft on wooden snowflake ornaments sponsored by St. Stephen’s, and a fun science activity presented by the Flying Cloud Institute.

This free winter-themed Paint & Sip is best suited for ages 5 to 12, although younger and older children are welcome. All materials, instruction, snacks, and juice will be provided. Children are welcome to drop in anytime over the course of the event, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. The auditorium is on the second floor of the parish house, and the entrance is on Allen Street.

The Berkshire Athenaeum, 1 Wendell Avenue, will host a Holiday Card Making Drop-in on Saturday, December 2 from 10 am to 5 pm in the Children’s Library. Kids can make holiday cards for nursing home residents as well as holiday cards for them to take home, while supplies last.

Bottomless Bricks, 163 South Street, will host a Festive Frolic LEGO® Drop-in on Saturday, December 2 from 12 to 4 pm. Kids can explore building with LEGO® bricks and can take home a festive coloring sheet. All who attend are encouraged to build a heart and share a photo of it on social media with the hashtag #BuildToGive. For every heart shared, LEGO® will donate a LEGO® set to a child in need of play this holiday season. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize, or endorse this event.

On the final day of the Festive Frolic, Sunday, December 3, Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. will present a Festive Frolic Holiday Market featuring a Krampus Beer Garden with specialty offerings from Hot Plate Brewing Co. The event will be outdoors on Dunham Mall at 100 North Street from 12 to 4 pm. There will be performances by Opal Raven Cirque, food, music, local vendors, and an opportunity to visit with Santa and Krampus. Vendors include Baked Pastries & More, Clausens Corner, Fandom Forge Creations, Shire Family Roots, St. Eithne Rd., and Truffles by Tarah LLC.

For more information on the Downtown Festive Frolic, visit downtownpittsfield.com or call Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. at 413-443-6501.

The mission of Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. is to strengthen and promote Downtown Pittsfield, Inc.’s membership through advocacy, collaboration, and celebration.